Did you know more than 1 trillion gallons of water are wasted every year in the U.S. due to water leaks? Further, the average household wastes nearly 10,000 gallons of water annually, enough water for 300 loads of laundry. And there’s more: Leaks increase our water bills by at least 10 percent each month.
That’s why we all should welcome Fix a Leak Week, launched by the EPA, which begins March 15 and runs through March 21. When it comes to saving water, we need every Sherlock Holmes available to find water leaks and put an end to them.
According to Klaus Reichardt, CEO and founder of Waterless Co. Inc., here are some leaky places often overlooked:
- Under the sink pipes. Feel the pipes under sinks. If they feel damp or wet, it means there is a leak somewhere along the line.
- Pooling water heaters. Pools of water under water heaters invariably means a leak. Look for signs of rust. That’s likely where the leak is occurring.
- Diversions in the diverter. Bathtub/shower combinations have diverters that divert water to the shower when pulled. Diverters can wear out, leaking water behind the bathtub wall. Here’s a quick test. Pull the diverter. If water is still coming out of the tub’s spout, there likely is a leak.
- Home urinal leaks. Because home urinals are becoming more popular, this is a new place to look for leaks. Urinal leaks are often caused by the flush handle wearing out. “Urinal leaks are particularly irksome to fix and [can] waste a lot of water. This is not a problem, however, with waterless urinals.”
- On and Off. When the toilet fill valve keeps cycling on and off, it usually means there’s a leak. Feel under the tank or exposed pipes. If damp, you found the problem.
“Finally, know when to replace fixtures,” adds Reichardt. “They last for years, but they do not last forever. The older they are, the more likely they leak and waste water.”